Inauguration

Sarah Collura
Student Senate President
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey

Stephen Dunn
Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing
The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey

Paul T. Fader
Representing Governor James E. McGreevey
Director of Authorities, State of New Jersey

Frank J. Blee
New Jersey General Assembly
District Two

George A. Pruitt
President, Thomas Edison State College, and
Chairman, New Jersey Presidents Council

Darryl G. Greer
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer
New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities

John Lachs
Centennial Professor of Philosophy
Vanderbilt University

I am here as the President of the Faculty Assembly to speak on behalf of the faculty members of The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, and to welcome Professor Herman J. Saatkamp, Jr. as the fourth president of the College. An inauguration is an important milestone in the life of a college, providing the community a brief respite from its daily toils to pay respect to its past and welcome its future, to consider both its many accomplishments and those loftier aspirations it is working to bring to fruition. Now on firm foundations after only thirty-five years in existence, with a faculty and curriculum of which most colleges or universities would be justly proud, the College looks to increase its presence regionally, nationally and internationally, and the faculty is pleased to be guided in this endeavor by one who brings to the community the sensibility of scholar and intellectual.

When I first contemplated giving this speech I wondered what I should say. How many times does one attend an inauguration? This is my first. And the number of times one might be called upon to make a speech at such an event does not make it something that one studies for at graduate school. But I decided anyway that I ought to focus on the President's scholarly past to accentuate similarities between him and the members of our faculty. So I asked him for a curriculum vitae. However, what I received was a nineteen-page tome replete with lists of editorial boards, edited volumes, articles, book reviews, professional association memberships and so on, in addition to the administrative and faculty positions that Professor Saatkamp has held in a career spanning three decades. As a service to you all, therefore, I decided that I should put this all in chronological order, condense it by a few pages, and read it out to you so you may get the full flavor of this much accomplished President. Then I decided against this when I learned I wouldn't be able to speak for the full thirty minutes I requested.

So I will just have to say that, in this resume, President Saatkamp is revealed to be both one of us - a faculty member - and more. When he speaks of the commitment required to undertake research and bring it forward to publication, he knows whereof he speaks - many times over. Since I do not have the opportunity to read his vita to you, I will just focus on one part of it, namely the fact that he has done the scholarly community a great service over the years in keeping interest alive in the work of the philosopher George Santayana. From our perspective, I think the fact that President Saatkamp is a student of Santayana is reassuring - imagine if his life's work had been Nietsczhe, he might have injected a bit of nihilism into the proceedings at Stockton; or had he been a scholar of Kierkegaard, he might have filled us all with fear and trembling; worse still, imagine the impenetrable memoranda that we might have received had he been a student of Hegel!

And, indeed, Santayana has spoken and written much wisdom that is particularly pertinent to us today. He would remind us, for example, as we move towards erecting new edifices to symbolize the strength of this institution, that the institution itself will not flourish if it should become an "intellectual slum." In addition, Santayana himself did not fear debate and engaging with the issues. He wrote in a letter of 1939, "Of course, I like agreement, it warms the heart, but I don't expect it; and I like disagreement too, when it is intelligent and carries a thought further, rather than contradicts it a priori, from a different point of departure." So the faculty assembly looks forward to the prospect of continuing to work with a president who shares its "point of departure" and who recognizes the centrality of the faculty to the intellectual and spiritual well-being of this vibrant and dynamic institution of learning.

We have all come together today for this anticipated, momentous event for Richard Stockton College. This opportunity has left me feeling fortunate to stand before you at the promising inauguration of President Herman Saatkamp. As a result of an extensive and competitive search, the most qualified candidate has been selected to lead our institution towards a brighter future. It is my sincere hope that our celebrations today are seen as evidence of our value for Stockton's history and our commitment to creating an exciting future as one of the leading public liberal arts institutions in the country.

Through the eyes of a student, a President compels us towards knowledge, provides an educational tradition of enlightenment and excellence. President Saatkamp exhibits the qualities of an accomplished leader; his integrity, consistency, open mindedness and stability collectively formulate the chemistry for the prosperity of our college.

On behalf of the students of The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, I want to thank President Saatkamp for his steadfast encouragement which he continually offers the student body and its representatives. As President Saatkamp makes a point to include student leaders in discussions regarding our institution's growth and future, it assures that each student enrolled here at Stockton has a voice that is heard. This voice is more than acknowledged; it is a right, a power the student body relishes in appreciation.

When we look into the future, we all envision advances and improvements for our unique Richard Stockton College; with President Saatkamp in office we can feel confident he has the best intentions for our institution not only planned in mind, but intended in heart. With the utmost respect and unwavering support, congratulations to President Saatkamp. This is a proud day for you and all who love Stockton College.

I am very sorry I can't be there today, but from afar I am pleased to offer this poem on the occasion of President Saatkamp's inauguration. Actually, it is a prose poem called "Heroes" from my 1998 collection, Riffs and Reciprocities. Naturally, I don't think college presidents should be heroes on any grand scale but I do think they need to set examples of integrity and to demonstrate the kind of vision and persistence that show the way toward what a true and vital education might be. Things that Herman Saatkamp is wholly capable of and already has begun to do. So I read "Heroes" to both honor him and to nudge him a little further toward fulfilling the challenge that is ahead of him.

HEROES
Once we welcomed the anti-, the un-, We debunked whoever was in the top bunk, tore down what wouldn't stand up. It was just another romance, of course, Belmondo instead of Odysseus, as if the attainable with a cigarette in its mouth was a new destiny, as if heroes should resemble us. But I admired Bill Russell the basketball player, and Jean Paul Sartre, his apartment apart from de Beauvoir and, like Russell, how he looked difficulty in its dark, persistent eye. I choked up at replays of Welsh saying to McCarthy, "Have you no decency, sir?" I wanted to speak like Churchill if things were to get grim. And now when young people are asked about their heroes, they get more silent than a mouse on tiptoe or cite some rock star or Billy Graham, or, touchingly, their parents. There is nothing high up for them that scrutiny hasn't brought down. Heroes need a moment or two slowed into memory, stopped, emblazoned. They need to be caught swimming underwater for miles when the sky has gotten crowded with lies. We must not ask what they do in their spare time, or about their failures at love, or the money they took from that till when they were young. Their job is to go further and deeper than we dare. If only, we should find ourselves thinking.
What if. . .

Congratulations Herman and good luck.

When you look for a college president, I think people look for someone who is wise and professorial and who has done hard work in the past at other institutions. But when you come to do work in New Jersey, anywhere, including a college or institution, you look for somebody who knows how to get things done, walk the corridors of power and try and help that institution. Clearly he has been here for a short time but already he has the Governor's office in tow and coming in to try and help him. And he was smart enough to invite us here today so that we'll continue to do work for him and for the university to come.

I read in his bio a line that gave me a bit of a personal chuckle. It reads with all the great importance that he deserves, and then one line says: "Dr. Saatkamp plans to leverage Stockton's role as an economic force in the southern New Jersey region through the establishments of strong, positive relationships with elected and appointed officials - and here I am. He's done that; he will continue to do that. On behalf of the Governor, the people of the State of New Jersey, the Senate president, congratulations. On behalf of me personally, it is my pleasure to be here and to be part of this. Thank you.

It really is a pleasure and a privilege for me to be here today representing not only myself but Senator Gormley and Assemblyman Conover, as well as the entire legislative team. I have a letter of congratulations from the Senator which I will convey to President Saatkamp personally and will not read so that we don't make things go even a little bit further. But I have to concur very quickly with Paul that maybe the best politician in the room is sitting in the first row today!

It's great to be here in what I would consider a very, very unique ceremony. As all of you know, today we inaugurate our new president roughly 14 or 15 months since he's been at Stockton and been working the New Jersey landscape. I find that somewhat unique. Normally in a ceremony it's shortly after the president arrives and elected officials and dignitaries come together and say some obligatory kind comments about the president even though they really don't know him. But I have had the privilege of working with Dr. Saatkamp, sometimes on a daily basis. If not, I don't think our paths go more than a week where they don't cross. So I've really gotten to know Dr. Saatkamp on a personal level over the last 14 or 15 months and in spite of that, I'm still here to give kind words.

But seriously, it is at the direction of Dr. Saatkamp that we waited this long. His reason for doing that exemplifies the person, the persona of Dr. Herman Saatkamp, President Saatkamp, and that is because he said I wanted to wait for a period of time because I did not want the focus to be on myself: I wanted the focus to be on Richard Stockton College. I think if anything capsulizes the new president we have here at Richard Stockton College, it's that. Even on his day, his inauguration, his day in the sun (which is almost as good as Frank Blee Appreciation Day, but you don't have tee shirts. Tee shirts would have put you over the top). But all that being said, this should be Herman's day but he has clearly said no, I want the focus to be on Richard Stockton College and I think that speaks volumes. You will hear many nice things said about this man today and each and every one of them are true and well deserved. As Stockton moves into a new era, clearly, Herman Saatkamp has the vision to get things done. But more importantly, you look around the room and see so many leaders in academe from throughout the State of New Jersey and this country. You see the robes; you see the different colors of the different degrees, of everyone here. This dais is absolutely visionary in higher education. But visionaries sometimes get caught up here. What Herman Saatkamp brings to Richard Stockton College is more what he's got here, what he's got in his heart. He holds this faculty, the staff, the student, the institution of Richard Stockton College clearly in his heart. So on a day when we honor a man of vision, more importantly, we honor a man of vision who has all the people skills, all the tools, everything he needs to get the job done, to bring Richard Stockton College to the next level. So Dr. Saatkamp, I join with everyone else on the dais today in congratulating you on your great day and wish you and your family Godspeed in all your future endeavors. God bless you.

President Saatkamp, Mrs. Saatkamp, members of the Saatkamp family, to the entire Stockton community and to my very, very, dear friend, Vera Farris. I have had the privilege of knowing all of the presidents of this distinguished institution. And as a matter of special privilege, I have always felt a special fondness for Stockton and Ramapo in that Thomas Edison, Ramapo and Stockton were founded at the same time. On behalf of the 50 colleges and universities that make up the New Jersey higher education community and the 50 presidents that lead them and make up the New Jersey Presidents' Council, I bring you welcome and greetings.

President Saatkamp, you assumed the leadership of one of New Jersey's most important institutions of higher education at a very challenging and interesting time both in the history of this institution and in our State. You have already shown that we value your wise counsel and sage advice. We have enjoyed working with you. We welcome you to a part of the leadership community of this State. Again, welcome and congratulations.

Mr. Chairman, members of the Board of Trustees, Mr. President, Dot, distinguished guests, and colleagues … I bring greetings from the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities, representing presidents and trustees of your sister institutions. This is a special privilege for me, as a recipient of a Stockton honorary doctorate in 2000.

The Association advocates the collective interests of the nine state colleges and universities, in service of the public good. They educate 90,000 students annually. Nearly one-half of all four-year degrees earned in New Jersey each year are at these opportunity institutions.

Working with talented presidents and dedicated trustees, I've participated in the evolution of former state teachers' colleges into some of the nation's best and most diverse comprehensive public institutions. Three institutions are celebrating 150 year anniversaries (The College of New Jersey, Kean and William Paterson), while another (New Jersey City University) is commemorating 75 years of service. Stockton is barely 35 years old, yet one of the strongest colleges in New Jersey.

In just over 30 years, Stockton has distinguished itself through its unique interdisciplinary educational approach to learning, and its unyielding dedication to diversity and excellence.

In just 30 years, Stockton is one of the nation's top liberal arts colleges. You have much to be proud of.

The search for a president is, in fact, the search for the future of the college. Stockton has done well. The president is committed to Stockton's mission, to provide students and faculty with a first-rate learning environment, exemplified by $108 million in new construction recently approved by the trustees. Furthermore, Stockton's outreach to the community and state, through collaboration with others has been a hallmark of progress during the past year. And as president, Herman will be a vigorous and effective advocate for Stockton on critical state-level policy issues determining college access and affordability.

So, in bringing warm congratulations to Herman and Dot, I also bring, on behalf of your colleagues, a commitment to support, to listen and to advise (when asked). We welcome Herman as a valued colleague. We wish Stockton and its new president continued great success. Support one another, nurture one another, engage and challenge the future together, build traditions together, and most of all have fun and grow together.
The Association salutes Stockton, and congratulates Herman J. Saatkamp, Jr. upon his installation as the fourth president of The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

John Lachs, Centennial Professor of Philosophy
Vanderbilt University

Judge Weinstein, members of Boards of Trustees, administration and faculty colleagues, President and Mrs. Saatkamp, ladies and gentlemen:

There were times at which being a college president involved more honor and fewer problems than it does today. Now, presidents must keep the trustees happy by controlling the faculty, please the faculty by keeping the trustees off their backs, humor the students by accepting their critiques and bolster the spirit of their staffs by the fiction that theirs is the power and the glory, after all.

Presidents are supposed to get huge sums from private donors to keep tuition low and have the state legislature in their pockets to get faculty salaries high. They must be lovable yet tough, conscious of their elevated standing yet approachable, of superior intellect yet never haughty. We want them to be well-informed, well-spoken, well-connected, well-intentioned and, of course, well-bred.

Presidents must impress the newspapers, make the alumni proud, assure that campus discourse is civil and keep the lawyers out of town. They are expected to be charming when they reach into your pocket and inspiring when they address your soul. They must travel, teach, supervise the entire campus and manage an unmanageable collection of faculty entrepreneurs. They have to arrive with a vision but must be realistic enough to compromise; they must be paragons of virtue but put up with unavoidable vice.

Presidents must make sure that students don't drink, that campus trees are trimmed, that buildings are clean, that classes are met, that the community appreciates the school, that donors feel honored and that the university, that is no one's home, makes everyone feel at home.

Where do you find presidents like this? I know that The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey is very fortunate, because you have found one. Herman Saatkamp knows how to help a community recognize its values and embody them. He is a brilliant philosopher, a gifted teacher, an inspiring leader and, above all else, an educator devoted to this precious community of teaching and learning. Education is the last best hope of humankind. With presidents like Herman Saatkamp, the future of education is secure.